Sims Recycling Solutions says the facility is the only one in North America it owns that houses a precious metal sampling operations.

The company says the Franklin Park location collects scrap precious-metal-bearing materials—largely circuit boards—and sends the material through two rounds of shredding and sampling. The shredding equipment includes a 31-inch-long single-rotor shredder with a peak shaft torque of 3,900 feet per pound, and a 7,800-pound peak tip force per cutter. Once shredded, the precious metal components are roasted, melted and assayed before continuing on in the refining process.

Sims says the new equipment adds an extra layer of shredding and sampling to the plant’s operations, making the sample size of the materials significantly smaller. As a result, downstream processes are more economical and processing time is more efficient, the company says.

“The development and commissioning of the new shredding and sampling plant was a complete success,” says Sean Magann, vice president of Sims Recycling Solutions. “This new equipment will enable Sims Recycling Solutions to remain at the forefront of the precious metals refining industry.”

The refinery, which is permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency, has a fully staffed laboratory with chemists and technicians who perform all precious metal assays on the premises. This maintains control over the entire process and assures security of assets, allowing for an expedited payment process, according to Sims Recycling Solutions.